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Spirit Shop Inc. allows students, parents and alumni in the K-12 educational and
youth markets to design their own school, team and club-branded apparel and
merchandise online. Our digital printing, embroidery and manufacturing
technologies allow us to construct and print customized, high quality items at
competitive prices with no minimum orders.
Spirit Shop partners with schools interested in offering their students and
teachers a cost-effective, simple option for purchasing customizable
school-branded apparel and gear online. In exchange for their support, Spirit
Shop provides registered schools with a 15% commission on sales conducted
through their online Spirit Shop. Schools also have the ability to buy custom
products in bulk at wholesale prices, to be resold locally.
Spirit Shop was founded in May 2005 and is based in Ann Arbor, Michigan. The
company's management team has extensive experience in apparel manufacturing,
custom printing, e-commerce, marketing and product distribution. In addition,
the team has a track record of creating socially conscious, successful
entrepreneurial ventures.
The company is developing a successful business that encourages individuals to
show their Spirit, while acting as an effective fundraising and retailing
vehicle for schools all over the United States.
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Todd Sullivan
Founder & CEO
Todd is a seasoned business leader with ten years of startup experience. In
that time, he has invented consumer products, raised angel funding, received
one patent with three pending, licensed technology, setup offshore
manufacturing and distribution facilities and sold one company. Todd graduated
from Yale University as a political science major and Berkeley College's
Athlete of the Year. He went on to play professional ice hockey and then earned
his MBA from the University of Michigan's Ross School of Business. Todd wrote
the Spirit Shop business plan with his classmates while getting his MBA at the
University of Michigan's Ross School of Business and in 2005, Todd was selected
as the Ross School of Business, MBA Entrepreneur of the Year.
As Spirit Shop's external ambassador and internal coach, Todd manages a group of
highly talented and motivate people who really care about our customers.
Ultimately, we all know that WE WORK FOR YOU!
Chris Heike
Vice President of Operations
Chris has 5 years experience in managing all operations for a successful small
business. Since his employment, Chris has been trained on several financial
software solutions and has spent a great deal of time managing customer
service, as well as building company infrastructure. Chris manages the
operational responsibilities of the company, which includes paying bills,
managing resources, and providing insight on marketing & development
initiatives. He also works very closely with our customer service department to
make sure that everyone who visits our site has a phenomenal experience.
Aside from work, Chris likes to stay active. He runs and plays basketball, and
plays golf at least three times a week. Chris considers himself a huge nerd
since he spends time playing video games and watching "geeky" movies. He is
also the head cheerleading coach of Eastern Michigan University.
Chris has a Bachelor's Degree from eastern Michigan University with a double
major in Marketing and Communications.
Joann Uhl
Educational Program Coordinator
As a business professional with over thirty years experience, Joann has
provided sales, accounting and administrative management services, as well as
executive and administrative support services, to a large variety of
businesses. During that time, thirteen years were spent providing sales support
to large organizations. As a self-employed Sales Associate with a large
national company, she ranked within the top 10% in sales as well as recruiting,
training and managing a team of 20+ sales employees. Annual sales to school
fundraising groups in excess of $1M was achieved while working with one of the
nation's largest fundraising organization.
Joann's role at Spirit Shop is to introduce to and assist in implementation and
coordination of Spirit Shop's Student Store Manager Program with Business &
Marketing Advisors and Students in our nation's high schools. This program
offers a real business experience for students based on the National Standards
for Marketing Education.
Breeding and raising American Paint Horses for fifteen years has fed her passion
for animals, large and small.
Matthew George
Senior Account Manager
Before working with Spirit Shop, Matthew worked closely with the University of
Michigan's Department of Housing creating an informational and entertaining
comedy theatre show for incoming freshmen. As writer, performer, and assistant
director for this program, he was also responsible for creating comedy shows
that focused on relevant campus and social issues for all students during the
University's academic year.
At Spirit Shop, Matthew is tasked with a large portion of our company's customer
support, providing excellent technical support and quick responses to customer
concerns regarding their orders. He has also helped with a portion of our
marketing initiatives, developing print and online marketing materials to help
our school's more effectively promote their Spirit Shop Programs to their
communities. Lastly, he has helped us develop our award winning Student Store
Manager Program, which teaches high school students vital business skills.
Matthew received his B.A. in Political Science and Film / Video from the
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI.
Jacob Hurst
Account Manager
Over the past few months, Jacob has worked closely with schools and
organizations in answering their questions and holding orientation meetings. He
is also responsible for creating and building the individual Spirit Shop sites
for our customers, registering schools and organizations, and processing
orders.
Outside of work, Jake enjoys spending the day playing disc golf, cooking, or
camping. He also helps coach the Eastern Michigan University cheerleaders.
Jacob received his B.A. in Business Administrations from Eastern Michigan
University in 2003.
Chris Plumb
Art Director
As the head of Spirit Shop's Design Team and senior graphic designer, Chris is
in charge of creating new concepts and graphics for Spirit Shop's art library,
maintaining the look of the Spirit Shop site and its interfaces, and developing
all web graphics and print materials for marketing and advertising purposes.
Having studied identity systems, graphic design, and information design at both
the Art Institute of Chicago and the University of Michigan's School of Art
& Design, Chris is well-versed in communicating concepts and ideas through
visual media, as well as the tools necessary to do the job, both traditional
and digital. Outside of work, Chris spends his time reading graphic novels,
watching horror movies, and listening to heavy metal, as well as performing in
his rock 'n roll band, "Idol and the Whip."
Chris received his Bachelor of Fine Art in Graphic Design from the University
of Michigan in 2006.
Rob Gutman
Graphic Designer
Rob has been drawing, painting, and creating computer art for as long as he can
remember. He has been working as a designer for several years creating company
identities, promotional tools, stationery and images. He has also created art
for local musicians and bands throughout the United States. At Spirit Shop, Rob
creates and maintains the Stock Art, School Specific art, and Apparel Designs.
As part of the Design Team at Spirit Shop, he works to create new, interesting
designs and explore new artistic possibilities for the company. Aside from art,
Rob spends most of his time playing and teaching music. He also enjoys
baseball, basketball, playing video games, reading comics, and watching movies.
Rob received his Bachelor of Fine Art with a focus in Illustration from the
Ringling School of Art and Design.
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